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Chapter 47 Announcement

"Enough." Emperor Hong Ren interrupted them: "We'll settle this right now. Summon the imperial physician to diagnose wangfei."

Song Song's eyes slightly turned towards Li Xiao. The latter squeezed his hand and said: "Don't be afraid."

The imperial physician slowly stepped forward and gestured for Song Song to extend his hand. After he examined the pulse, his expression instantly showed a look of astonishment, his eyes full of incredulousness. The empress was clearly impatient, but still sat properly and asked in an aloof tone: "What's the diagnosis?"

The imperial physician looked somewhat dazed and announced: "I think I made a mistake just now. I need to examine it again."

Song Song said soothingly: "Take your time."

The empress exchanged a look with prime minister Qin, then both withdrew their gaze. The corner of the empress's mouth rose.

This imperial physician was probably afraid to agitate Li Xiao, therefore wanted to save him some face. She couldn't resist thinking, if Li Xiao had an outburst today, then that would really make things interesting.

The imperial physician examined Song Song's pulse again, repeatedly shaking his head. The emperor said gently: "If my dear official has something to say, then say it directly. No need to cover it up."

"Aiyo." The Imperial physician quickly withdrew his hand, walked over to bow to the emperor and said: "To answer your majesty. This official just tested twice. He's indeed pregnant."

Everyone present were all stunned. An excited expression appeared on the emperor's face: "Are your words for real?"

"This official can vouch for it with my life. Wangfei is pregnant."

The empress's facial color instantly changed. The emperor glanced at prime minister Qin's bewildered face. He somewhat curbed his happy expression and asked: "Are you certain? Wangfei is a man. How can he be pregnant?"

"This is certainly a rare sight." The imperial physician said loudly: "This must be a miracle from the gods! To assist our nation!"

The empress walked over, saluted with a forced smile and said: "Since this thing is rarely seen, how can we be certain with just one imperial physician. Maybe it's the wrong diagnosis. How about we invite two more imperial physicians over to take a look?"

That imperial physician practiced medicine for many years, and was also treated the emperor frequently. Upon hearing her words, his expression turned displeased. However, because she was the empress, he could only swallow his dissatisfaction and stand quietly to the side.

Li Xiao said with a not quite smile: "Looks like mother thinks the gods really shouldn't assist our nation ah."

Instantly incensed, the empress twisted her head to glare at Li Xiao: "You. "

"This son is just joking." Not waiting for her to speak, Li Xiao casually moved the topic onward: "What mother said is correct. This diagnosis is indeed very rare to see. In my opinion, why not invite everyone from the imperial physician clinic over. How can only one or two person determine the truth?"

"Are you suspecting that I bribed the imperial physicians?"

"Exactly."

"... " The empress' face twisted. She had a not so good feeling in her heart, but pretended to be unperturbed: "Then doesn't that mean I can suspect that Xiao-er bribed the imperial physicians as well?"

Li Xiao's smiling expression remained unchanged, but his eyes turned cold: "It's reasonable to be skeptical here. However, which of us is the one harboring secret motives, that remains to be seen"

The empress's lips trembled. Prime minister Qin also did not think Li Xiao would suddenly make accusations in this situation. He hastily said: "Since Ping Wang wants to invite all of the imperial physicians over, then this official earnestly requests your majesty grant this. After all this thing is indeed rare."

"Prime Minister!" Li Xiao suddenly said, completely interrupting whatever the emperor was about to say. He continued slowly: "This king is not done speaking yet."

Everyone turned their heads one by one towards the head seat. The emperor picked up his teacup. He didn't look like he was going to chastise Li Xiao for his action, clearly letting him do as he wished and planning to turn a blind eye.

Prime Minister Qin can only say: "Go ahead, your highness."

Li Xiao stood up slowly, walked in front of the empress, forcing her to take a two steps back. The oppressive aura from the grown up man made her face color turn green: "You, what do you want to say?"

"This king has one thing I don't understand. I hope mother will clarify."

"Go... go on."

The empress almost begged him to not stand so close. Hair ornaments swaying slightly, she believed without a doubt that Li Xiao might suddenly pretend to lose control and choke her to death--

"Madam Song, the prime minister's daughter, your own blood related sister suddenly went insane. This king wanted to ask. The poison that she drank in prison, was it the same one this king suffered from?"

The color on the empress's face looked like it was completely drained away. All of the bones in her body seemed like they turned to rubber in an instant. The emperor who was sitting at the head seat abruptly looked up, the tea cup falling out of his hands. The gonggong beside him had a sharp eye and reached out to catch it. When the cup hit his hand, it still made an impact sound. His hands shook as well.

Li Xiao was still looking at the empress. He didn't move, but the expression in his eyes was extremely terrifying. Whole body locked stiff, the empress wanted to say: 'Of course it's not the same!' but Prime minister Qin's reaction was even quicker than hers: "Your highness--!"

He said: "Your highness misunderstood the empress. My daughter was already crazy before. She definitely didn't go insane because of being poisoned in the prison. Isn't that right, my empress?"

After he hinted at the empress, the latter abruptly turned and moved sideways past Li Xiao to walk towards the emperor: "What father said is correct. My sister was already insane, otherwise, why would she do such a thing at the Tower of Heaven?"

Her whole body was covered in a cold sweat.

Li Xiao's words just now were meant to test her.

If she reflexively denied that the two poisons were not the same just now, that would mean admitting that madam Song was not insane during the incident at the Tower of Heaven. That would also be equal to admitting that madam Song's condition was connected to herself. And if someone wanted to investigate further

She didn't dare think further.

It was hard to tell anything from the emperor's expression. He looked to his side at the empress. The latter forced a smile, wanting to leave here as soon as possible secretly. She was worried that Li Xiao had other plans waiting for her. However, she still had money placed on the line. Her heart won't be settled until the results of this diagnosis is cleared up. So she can only say: "How about, we just follow what Xiao-er said and invite all the imperial physicians over?"

Emperor Hong Ren remained silent.

Prime minister Qin and the empress couldn't even sit still. After all, 7 thousand gold ingots was not a small amount. The empress said again: "Your majesty, a lot of people are paying attention to this result we should at least give an official answer."

The emperor looked at her for a while, forcing the empress to start thinking about Li Xiao's 'was that poison the same as this king's' all over again. The cold sweat on her body didn't not even dry from being stared at by Li Xiao moments before.

The emperor finally said: "Go summon two more imperial physicians over."

As soon as someone left the king's estate on horseback, all of the taverns outside instantly received the news---

"I heard the imperial physician that came said it was hard to determine so now they've gone to fetch the head of the imperial physicians!"

In an instant, people were in an uproar: "What kind of condition would make an imperial physician have trouble diagnosing?"

"I actually think this is pretty normal. After all, with the prime minister and the imperial tutor both present and these two families fighting it's not easy for the imperial physician to pick a side, right?"

"What exactly is the result here? I'm almost worried to death!"

The waiter at Fuxiang restaurant rushed about pouring tea for all the guests, brow beaded with sweat.

Quickly, two more imperial physicians entered the king's estate. People stood watching from a distance, however, with the emperor present in the estate, these people didn't dare to get closer. They could only peek their head out and stretch on their tiptoes, occasionally spinning around in a circle where they stand.

The two imperial physicians saluted as they entered. One of them met the empress's eyes and then quickly looked down. The emperor said: "Go ahead. Examine."

From the side, the empress said hypocritically: "No matter what the result is, you two must tell the truth."

The head physician first stepped up. After a few breaths, he looked flabbergasted at Song Song and met his soft harmless expression. He examined again. After a while, he walked over with a serious face and said to the emperor: "This official has practiced for many years. I can put my reputation on the line to confirm that he's pregnant."

The empress squeezed her fingers. Her heart felt like it was being gnawed by ants.

The emperor nodded, already having an idea in mind, and said: "You take a look as well."

The younger physician in the back stepped up, slightly leaned over, then also blanked for a while. He glanced at the empress. The empress frowned. Expression doubtful, he hesitated for a moment then said: "I. I'm going to try again."

That head physician said coldly: "No matter how many times you try, there won't be another result. There's no mistakes. He's indeed pregnant."

The young imperial physician laughed dryly and slowly withdrew his hand, then stepped back. The empress's eyes stared unwavering at him. The emperor said lightly: "This issue today is extremely important. My dear official, you should tell the truth."

Emperor Hong Ren was merciful. To say this was his warning ahead of time because he didn't want to give death punishments. The young imperial physician felt apprehensive in his heart. When he looked up, he saw the implicit pressure in the empress' eyes. After a moment of hesitation, he finally summoned up the courage to say: "This pulse is really rare. This official is not skilled enough to diagnose clearly. I'm afraid to make assumptions!"

The empress's air felt stuck in her throat, she almost couldn't breathe.

The emperor seemed almost tired and said: "Since that's the case, then it is true. Looks like the heavens bless my nation. Since it's a miracle bestowed by the gods, Xiao-er, in a few days, you will come accompany Zhen for a walk and pray a little."

"As you wish."

The emperor stood up, but the empress suddenly shouted: "Your majesty! A man being pregnant is completely outrageous. Is this thing a miracle. Or witchcraft? Shouldn't Your majesty investigate this fully?"

Li Xiao raised an eyebrow, but before he opened his mouth, he heard emperor Hong Ren say coldly: "What, you don't believe the gods granted us a miracle? Don't tell me that you think this is a punishment by the gods to warn my nation?"

The empress's heart skipped a beat: "This one doesn't dare! It's only that this thing "

"Empress." Emperor Hong Ren said slowly: "You seem to have said a lot today."

The empress instantly shut up. Li Xiao said from the side: "Can I ask father, since the bet still counts, does that mean that the prime minister's 7 thousand gold pieces now belong to the imperial tutor?"

Emperor Hong Ren's gaze fell on him, already looking much warmer. He said: "Prime Minister Qin?"

At this moment, prime minister Qin's head was completely empty. The head physician was the emperor's subordinate. He would never tell lies. The prime minister was still dwelling on the question of how could Song Song be with child, so he reflexively replied: "Ah?"

"That 7 thousand gold pieces, will your estate give it or not?"

Prime minister Qin finally had a reaction. As he stood up, he looked like he gained 10 years in an instant.

This money, to give or not to give? The emperor personally asked already. How can he not give it? He said difficulty: "My estate is willing to pay for our loss."

The emperor said: "Then just carry it all over to the imperial tutor's estate today."

Prime Minister Qin's face twisted as he smiled painfully: "This old official will do as you say."

The emperor, supported by gonggong, walked out. The empress didn't follow him just yet. Instead, she sat in her chair, her head still in complete disarray. If she didn't have one last strand of reason remaining, then she would have caused an uproar right there and then. As she watched the emperor's figure slowly disappear, she abruptly looked towards Song Song. The latter still looked well-behaved, harmless, and very easily deceived. He slowly lifted his head and smiled faintly: "Many thanks for mother's gift."

The empress just stood up when her legs turned soft and she had to sit down again.

7 thousand, 7 thousand gold ingots.

She felt like her teeth were being knocked off one by one, but at the moment, other than swallowing it with a mouthful of blood, there was nothing she could do. Emperor Hong Ren unexpectedly... unexpectedly supported Li Xiao this much

Also this miracle, how could it be a real miracle?

Where did it go wrong? How could Song Song be diagnosed pregnant?

Her momo said quietly: "Your majesty?"

Just at this moment, a servant next to minister Qin suddenly yelled: "Prime Minister! The prime minister threw up blood! Imperial physician! Wait! Don't go yet!"

The empress hurriedly rush over to check---

"Father!"

The imperial tutor Zhao stood up unperturbed: "As you age, you should be open minded. Money is just a worldly possession. Prime Minister Qin shouldn't be so concerned about it."

With blood on his beard and currently receiving medical treatment from the imperial physician, prime minister Qin shook all over as he glared at imperial tutor Zhao.

Song Song said worriedly to the side: "How do you feel, prime minister? Is it serious? Do you need to rest in the guest room first?"

He hasn't spoken at all before. These words still counted as pretty thoughtful. The empress was just about to agree---

As if afraid she'd refuse, Song Song bashfully added: "Seven thousand gold pieces even if you stay for an entire year, it's more than enough."

"... "

Prime Minister Qin instantly lost consciousness.

"Father!" The empress screeched sharply, anxious and angry, tears falling like rain: "Someone! Get the carriage! We're going back!!!"

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The author has something to say:

Scared Scared: I kind of feel bad taking all this money

Cray Cray: Me too.

--- Pei! (Spitting in jest, meaning they're don't feel bad at all haha)